Lathe face plates ?

[JPigg55]

I've been looking at getting a couple face plates for my lathe. Problem is the selection of so many sizes and types.
Which face plate types & sizes do you use most ?
I would think a slotted/holed one would be more useful than a solid one and larger size better than small, butI could see the advantage of being able to bolt up a piece to a smaller one and not have it in the way while cutting.
Best would be one of everything and maybe I'll get there one day :talktogod:, but for now I'm looking for most useful.
What's you opinion and reasons ?

 

[darkzero]

What size is your lathe (swing) & what size work do you normally plan on mounting to it? That's what you would have to decide. To give you an idea, I have a 12x36 & it came with a 10" faceplate. I personally have never needed to use it though & I've only ever mounted it once to check fitment but that's just me.

Slots & tapped holes matters on the type of work you need to mount to it but not a deal breaker. Can still do mostly the same with either or.

I've had my eye on the ones tools4cheap.net offers. A bit smaller than the one I have but they look very nice. They no longer carry the D1-4 (so it seems) version that I would need but again I have never needed to use one anyway.

 

[12bolts]

Unless you have a specific project in mind that requires a specific type/size, then I would go for one that is just a bit smaller than your max. swing. If you find a project that needs you to work close to the face plate, and worry about running into it/cutting it, you can space the work off the plate to that end. A slotted plate near to max swing dia will give you the most versatility for a want tool as opposed to a need tool.

Cheers Phil

 

[JPigg55]

I have a SB9, but currently only have one solid dog drive face plate.
I think both of you make good points. A large slotted and tapped hole plate would seem to be the most versitile for most work that I can think of.

 

[epanzella]

My Grizzly 12 x 36 came with a 10 inch slotted plate and I've used it for 3 or 4 projects already that needed an irregular shaped part clamped down and a hole bored/threaded in it. The slots and a clamp kit work just fine for that. I haven't driven a dog with it yet but will be on an upcoming project.

 

[kwoodhands]

Both of my lathes came with slotted faceplates. I have found drilling and tapping the faceplates more convenient for the work I do.I made a sacrificial aluminum plate for the 10 x 22 lathe. I bored two cylinders today for a model tractor.
After center drilling the cylinder I held it against the aluminum plate with a dead center in the TS.Then layout for angle irons and such to hold the cylinder to the Aluminum plate. I removed the faceplate , drilled,trapped and loosely installed the angles,then the cylinder.Remounted the faceplate and finished bolting up using an indicator for accuracy.
This took about 15 minutes. I have spent a lot more time messing with bolts in the slotted holes. Probably me but I find the slots more of a PITA than helpful.
mike